CS Kiunjuri must reveal those behind maize scams or resign,says Keter

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has urged Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to reveal the culprits behind the maize scams that have led to the farmers’ woes. Addressing the press at parliament, Keter said CS Kiunjuri must name the people directly involved in the scams, “Kiunjuri you must move with speed and if you think you can’t manage it you have an obligation to resign..” he said. The MP said the rot in the Agriculture Ministry didn’t start with Kiunjuri, and there are cartels in the Ministry who have been responsible for the payout to brokers and mismanagement of funds.

He further revealed that the brokers have initiated campaigns, targeting diversification. He said they want the farmers to plant different crops, creating a maize shortage in the country and pave the way for more maize importation. He said scandals crippling the Ministry are still ongoing at the moment, “People are importing wheat at the moment while farmers in Narok, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru are harvesting!” Keter said the government can’t be talking about food security yet it depends on other countries for food supply. He also urged EACC to expedite investigations to establish the people responsible for the maize issues.

On his part, Moiben MP Silas Tiren said maize imported from Mexico caused a definite problem, and that the ones responsible for the bulk imports should take responsibility, “People need to face the consequences because when they were allowing all the maize, sugar, powder milk to come in they knew it was going to make Kenyans suffer,” he said. The MP said that every Kenyan should know who was benefitting from all these.